2 large explosions at Boston Marathon
#407
Re: 2 large explosions at Boston Marathon
Actually, this is a serious, but off-topic observation, and one that I am struggling with at work.
There seems to be something in the American pschye that stops people from questioning authority or perceived truisms. I'm finding that my biggest workplace challenge - especially as my team is tasked with thinking the unthinkable, questioning our past and future actions. It's called Long Term Strategy, and it appears to be missing in spades.
It was NEVER so much of a drag to extract any number of "I'll tell you what's broken 'ere mate" out of people in the UK or Europe in general. Here, if you even so much dare to say "well, maybe that's just incorrect" or "is there a better way to do ...." I find people clam up, fail to grasp the moment, get all worried about saying the wrong thing, etc. Stunning insecurity.
I thought Americans were legion for criticising, demanding, questioning, etc. Instead, just as with this topic, they seem very quick to tell me how well THEY are doing, and that all the ills are caused by those without their immediate group....
It seems to me that this lack of detached, critical thinking is a major issue in this country.
There seems to be something in the American pschye that stops people from questioning authority or perceived truisms. I'm finding that my biggest workplace challenge - especially as my team is tasked with thinking the unthinkable, questioning our past and future actions. It's called Long Term Strategy, and it appears to be missing in spades.
It was NEVER so much of a drag to extract any number of "I'll tell you what's broken 'ere mate" out of people in the UK or Europe in general. Here, if you even so much dare to say "well, maybe that's just incorrect" or "is there a better way to do ...." I find people clam up, fail to grasp the moment, get all worried about saying the wrong thing, etc. Stunning insecurity.
I thought Americans were legion for criticising, demanding, questioning, etc. Instead, just as with this topic, they seem very quick to tell me how well THEY are doing, and that all the ills are caused by those without their immediate group....
It seems to me that this lack of detached, critical thinking is a major issue in this country.
I have a lot of trouble at work with rational and probing analysis of a process, proposed course of action, decision, strategy, idea etc., being taken as personal criticism on an emotional level. I end up spending more time worrying about hurting people's feelings (which negatively affects one's progress in the company) than about making the best decision. It's mad.
#408
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Joined: May 2012
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Posts: 4,998
Re: 2 large explosions at Boston Marathon
Most on this thread will agree with me, I expect. Those who don't, may be insecure themselves with their new loyalty - trying to prove their patriotism with the passion of the newly converted.
#409
Re: 2 large explosions at Boston Marathon
I have a lot of trouble at work with rational and probing analysis of a process, proposed course of action, decision, strategy, idea etc., being taken as personal criticism on an emotional level. I end up spending more time worrying about hurting people's feelings (which negatively affects one's progress in the company) than about making the best decision. It's mad.
Both at my company and companies we do business with. We spent two days once with a contractor trying to nail down what their process was to get from A to Z. They just couldn't grasp what we were getting at, we just kept having to say "and what do you do next". Two bloody days. Just so we could map out the process in front of them and point out (the bleeding obvious to us) that they could actually get from A to Z in 5 steps instead if they just thought about it.
It was like we were talking Swahili or something.
I think it comes from the same place in the psyche that just shrugs whenever someone points out how dreadfully inefficient the DMV is (or VA or any other organisation of your choice). If it was the DVLA in the UK we'd be moaning to MPs, writing letters to the papers and generally kicking up a fuss until they sorted it out. A kind of fatalism almost - the problem's too big, so why bother trying to do something, however small, to try and fix it. See also gun violence....
#410
Re: 2 large explosions at Boston Marathon
I'm generalising here, but it has long seemed to me that Americans are much more tribal in their thinking and reactions than Europeans. It's as though they're still new in the nation-building business, and correspondingly insecure. Hence all the flag-waving and hand-on-heart stuff that Europeans (and other "old" nations) have out-grown.
Most on this thread will agree with me, I expect. Those who don't, may be insecure themselves with their new loyalty - trying to prove their patriotism with the passion of the newly converted.
Most on this thread will agree with me, I expect. Those who don't, may be insecure themselves with their new loyalty - trying to prove their patriotism with the passion of the newly converted.
#411
Re: 2 large explosions at Boston Marathon
I was discussing with my parents earlier and I pointed out that we Brits in general tend to be a lot less effusive. We aren't "rah rah rah, give ourself a round of applause", we're "hmm, job well done guys, someone put the kettle on". If it's a really good job, its "lets go down the pub".
#412
Re: 2 large explosions at Boston Marathon
I felt very uncomfortable about that too, I rationalised it as a cultural difference I would never understand and put to one side.
I was discussing with my parents earlier and I pointed out that we Brits in general tend to be a lot less effusive. We aren't "rah rah rah, give ourself a round of applause", we're "hmm, job well done guys, someone put the kettle on". If it's a really good job, its "lets go down the pub".
I was discussing with my parents earlier and I pointed out that we Brits in general tend to be a lot less effusive. We aren't "rah rah rah, give ourself a round of applause", we're "hmm, job well done guys, someone put the kettle on". If it's a really good job, its "lets go down the pub".
I have just about convinced my colleagues that when I say "not bad" I am actually bestowing my highest form of praise.
#413
Re: 2 large explosions at Boston Marathon
It's the national level of fear I don't understand. I lived in London when the IRA bombings were happening, and then there were the July bombings a few years ago. There was no suggestion of a "lockdown" in London, shutting down all public transport or closing the airspace.
Mind you, I do understand that terrorist action on mainland USA is still a relative rarity compared to the bad old IRA days, and collectively society here hasn't had time to develop the coping mechanisms. I suppose in the UK the older generation fell back on the Blitz spirit, the younger ones picked it up and we developed a psyche of "they win if you stop doing things or are too scared to carry on, so get on with it." Fortress America has never had to deal with it in the same way.
#414
Re: 2 large explosions at Boston Marathon
It's a good job there aren't more Brits in my office, I have a habit of slipping "Yes, Minister"-isms into my office speak. "That's brave" is one of my favourites.
Edit to add - rather than take the thread even more off topic, I've started a new one here: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...php?p=10670137
Last edited by yellowroom; Apr 21st 2013 at 1:38 am.
#417
Re: 2 large explosions at Boston Marathon
Everytime I hear people doing that damn "USA" chant, I hate it. It horrifies me. I don't even know what words to use to describe how it makes me feel. It's like this childish "we're better than you are" mentality or something. All I can say is, not every native-born USC feels the need to chant "USA" like it's some kind of Walmart cheer (subliminal brainwashing?). It's just so..so...so immature and embarrassing.
#418
Re: 2 large explosions at Boston Marathon
Everytime I hear people doing that damn "USA" chant, I hate it. It horrifies me. I don't even know what words to use to describe how it makes me feel. It's like this childish "we're better than you are" mentality or something. All I can say is, not every native-born USC feels the need to chant "USA" like it's some kind of Walmart cheer (subliminal brainwashing?). It's just so..so...so immature and embarrassing.
#419
Re: 2 large explosions at Boston Marathon
Everytime I hear people doing that damn "USA" chant, I hate it. It horrifies me. I don't even know what words to use to describe how it makes me feel. It's like this childish "we're better than you are" mentality or something. All I can say is, not every native-born USC feels the need to chant "USA" like it's some kind of Walmart cheer (subliminal brainwashing?). It's just so..so...so immature and embarrassing.
There is sonething about that "USA USA" chat that is particularly repulsive. I just switch off when I hear it, I distance myself from those chanting it. Its sounds so aggressive, I don't know if it is the low tones that the 'U' creates, or the lack of joy in how it resonates.
#420
Re: 2 large explosions at Boston Marathon
There is sonething about that "USA USA" chat that is particularly repulsive. I just switch off when I hear it, I distance myself from those chanting it. Its sounds so aggressive, I don't know if it is the low tones that the 'U' creates, or the lack of joy in how it resonates.